Gabe met the new mounting block on Saturday and after a couple big-eyed snorty looks at it, accepted it just fine. He wanted to eat it more than anything. He licked it a few times, sniffed it and went on with his business.
I spent some time walking up and down the steps, leading him with me and having him just stand next to it while I leaned over him. He didn't want to stand still so well...as soon as he felt weight on his back, he either swung his butt out and away or tried walking off. We spent about 20 minutes working on just standing still before I could lay over his back without him walking off or wiggling around. Progress!
I did this all bareback with just a halter and lead and he was very accepting. He does, however, have a bad habit that will be broken immediately. I've mentioned before how very mouthy he is: He chews on the lead rope while tied, he swings his head around and swipes his saddle pad, he manages to get the longe line or long reins up into his mouth while I'm working him and chews, chews, chews the bit the entire time I'm working him. I'm thinking about investing in a new copper snaffle with a roller to keep his mouth occupied. He even tries to get the bridle into his mouth when I pull it over his head and I busted him chewing on his sheet last week. The turd. When he and Chief are having "conversations" over the fence he likes to grab Chief's halter and just not let go. This is not a good public relations move for him in Chief's mind!
While I was leaning over his back he kept reaching around and sniffing my butt and using that top lip to "snuffle" around...he didn't bite, but I'm pretty sure he would have if I hadn't kept an eye on his antics! Just lifting my foot and moving it towards his nose got the muzzle off my butt.
So, it's a start and the mounting block is the perfect height for him.
It always seems like the boys are the most mouthy. Bombay used to be so fidgity for the farrier that I let him chew on the lead rope because it calmed him down and kept him busy. He expanded his tack chewing to his splint boots and reins, ruining some good stuff. One day he shredded a brand new fly sheet right off his own back, and that's when I said enough is enough. I just had to stay on top of it and always communicate that chewing on equipment is a no-no. He's matured enough now that he doesn't do it anymore, though he still chews the wood fence like a beaver if I separate him from his girls. I'm starting to think that the only permanent solution to that one is not having a wood fence. I'm glad the mounting block is working out well.
ReplyDeleteGreat!
ReplyDeleteI sure Love the size of that mounting "stand".
At one of my favortie horse parks local, Milo McIver State Park..they have this awesome mounting "runway" I'll call it. It is a ramp, that has what looks like a hitchin post with rails the entire length of the ramp. So when you mount your horse..the rail posts are there to keep the horse straight for you.
Seems like cheating, if you have a horse you need to work on with standing...but if your mount is just excited because there are 20 horses in the parking lot and a mule just ran by= out of control..it is a great thing!
Never had a mouthy horse so would not know what to do...maybe Cayenne pepper! "Shriners spray" what he likes to chew..see if he does that again!
I think that you have what it takes to be a Pony Cousin!
ReplyDeleteJoin the fun and find out if you would "fit in" by checking out this page: Highlight the address; copy it; paste onto your browser.
http://kjmiddleoftheroad.blogspot.com/2008/10/so-you-think-you-want-to-be-pony-cousin.html
Two words for you: Toasty Toes. They are like hand warmers but you put them in your boots.
ReplyDeleteVeeerrryy niiiice!
And I've lived in MO, so I know what cold feels like.